Trek Leaders Hall of Fame

The quality of Bear Yuba Land Trust’s popular trekking program is possible because of the expertise of the many trek leaders who volunteer their time. Trek leaders are ornithologists, biologists, archeologists, historians, botanists and more. Each trek leader brings a unique wealth of knowledge to each outing. These trek leaders stand out for their years of dedication to the Land Trust and the natural world.

Trek Leaders

Cathy Anderson-Meyers is a guide and instructor, now working for REI’s Outdoor School teaching snowshoeing, kayaking, road cycling, back country skills, map & compass, and hiking. She has been leading a beginner’s snowshoe outing for BYLT for many years. She loves to say “When was the last time you did something for the first time?”

Ted Beedy is one of the preeminent birders in Northern California (and beyond). A biologist and ornithologist, he has co-authored Discovering Sierra Birds and Birds of the Sierra Nevada. A lifetime love of birding has made him a much sought-after expert – an outing with Ted will have you looking with new eyes at these lovely creatures.

Rick Berry and Scott Woodland are naturalists trained in the ways of The Tracker, Tom Brown Jr. Together they teach kids at their 4 Elements Earth Education Encounter classes located at BYLT’s Burton Homestead. Their outdoor survival and tracking classes are just as popular with adults as they are with kids – who doesn’t find starting a fire with two sticks a fascinating endeavor! (Scott also makes a mean pizza!)

Brian Bisnett is a landscape architect, developer, amateur historian and is passionate about the property near Smartsville known as the Black Swan Diggin’s and the Blue Point Mine. A trek with Brian to these hydraulic mine properties is a trip back in time.

Julie Carville is a writer, photographer, lecturer, and botanist/naturalist. She authored Hiking Tahoe’s Wildflower Trails, and contributed to California’s Wild Gardens, Wildflowers of Nevada and Placer Counties, and Trees and Shrubs of Nevada and Placer Counties. You’ll come back from a trek with Julie with pollen on your chin!

Fran Cole is the creator of BYLT’s popular EquiTrek program and leader of many of the rides, is a BYLT board member, and donates countless hours to other service organizations in our community. If we’re lucky, she brings her accordion for some lunchtime fun!

Grayson Coney is the Cultural Director for the local Tsi-Akim Tribe with an extensive knowledge of local plants, archeology, and native history. A natural storyteller, Grayson’s treks and lectures are always informative and interesting.

Sue Graf is a botanist and historian with an energy that just doesn’t quit! She has wide-ranging interests that have her hiking or kayaking all over the Sierras and beyond.

Dale Johnson has been leading treks for BYLT since 1998. His particular passion is early electrical power generation in the county, which has lead him to create treks to the birthplace of PG&E, along the historic ditches, to regional powerhouses, and to the water storage lakes of the high country. His storyboarding style is comprehensive and fascinating.

David Lawler, Executive Director of Farwest Geosciences, is a geologist and paleontologist and leader of some of BYLT’s most popular outings. Discoverer of the missing link dinosaur Scutellosaurus lawleri, we call him Dino Dave.

Joe Maderios, biologist at Sierra College and Editor of the Sierra College Press, has taught biology, botany and ecology for over 35 years and has hiked and photographed the Sierras for even longer. A fascinating presenter, his Armchair Trek presentations always shed a new light on our Range of Light.

Hank Meals is an anthropologist, historian and author of Yuba Trails II & II and The River – the region’s best l hiking books. Any trek with Hank promises an enlightening and exciting adventure.

Clarence Motter is a local amateur historian with a love of the outdoors and a sense of curiosity that has lead him to discover some of the most beautiful and interesting places our region has to offer – and then he shares them with us.

Randy Oliver has kept bees for over 40 years, published a series of beekeeping journal articles and presented beekeeping classes and seminars for over 35 years. You will never forget a visit to Randy’s hives – especially if you get to hold a handful of honeybees! Besides his passion and expertise as a beekeeper, he is a naturalist and teaches science classes.

Rick Ramos is a California Naturalist, Sierra Club hike leader at Group, Chapter and National levels, and an avid outdoorsman. Growing up in Dutch Flat he acquired an intimate knowledge of our Sierra Nevada as he developed his passion for the outdoors – which has since had him traveling from Baja to Alaska.

Susan Sanford delights in all those who want to go outside and play. With her background in natural history, journalism, and as a certified California Naturalist she seeks to connect people with Nature – and their own true nature.

Jim Simmons, manager of the North Star Mine property, is very knowledgeable about the mining history of the second largest producer of gold during California’s Gold Rush. Always looking to learn more, he has something new to share with us each time we trek with him.

John Skinner: In Memoriam – John was a popular Trek leader who contributed his enthusiasm and love of nature on countless Land Trust Treks. The former Tahoe National Forest Supervisor died July 27, 2009. He is missed. Photo Credit Wayde Carroll

Carrie Smith is the Heritage Program Manager and Tribal Relations Liaison for the Tahoe National Forest. A passionate outdoorswoman, she loves to share the special and unique places she oversees in the TNF.

Alan Stahler is well-known for his KVMR radio science programs. A physicist and astronomer, he has taken us to the stars and back, so to speak, with his popular Armchair Treks and Stargazing outings.

Kristen Hein Strohm is a birder, teacher, and scientist. Her unique way of teaching – using songs, sayings, body movements, and graphs – connects with all of the learning modalities, helping to make the information stick. A birding trek with Kristen is a delightful and fun experience.

Richard Thomas is an educator, Sierra Club hike leader, and president of Friends of Spenceville. A trek with Richard to the Spenceville Wildlife Area will have you exploring new routes and ridges, as well as learning about the mixed history of this beautiful rolling oak woodlands.

Vicki Macdonald has been observing, identifying and studying wildflowers for over 30 years. She is a member of the California Native Plant Society and was Coordinator of the Wildflower Program at South Yuba River State Park, Bridgeport for 7 years.